The cost of furnishing flats for asylum seekers cannot be released under Freedom of Information laws because the issue is too “sensitive” and could put them at risk, a watchdog has ruled. The Telegraph has more.
John Edwards, the Information Commissioner, has ruled in favour of the Home Office, which refused to reveal the cost of furnishing a block of flats to be used by 346 asylum seekers in Farnborough, Hampshire.
He rejected an appeal to release the information under freedom of information (FoI) laws, saying the public interest in revealing the cost to the taxpayer of the furnishing was outweighed by the need to protect the asylum seekers from protests and risks to their “health and safety”.
The apartments were allegedly finished with flat-screen TVs and satellite television.
Lee Anderson, the Reform U.K. MP for Ashfield, criticised the decision and said he planned to raise it in a Parliamentary debate on immigration next week. He added: “The real risk is to the taxpayer, who is spending millions of pounds per day on people that should not be in the country.